Switch point-rail



Oct. 27, 1931. A. ENSTROM SWITCH POINT RAIL Filed Oct. 23, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l `faz A @VQ/W Oct. 27, 1931. A, ENsTRoM SWITCH POINT RAIL Filed OGL 23, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 27, 1931. A. x-:NsTRoM SWITCH POINT RAIL Filed Oct. 23, 1930 4 SheeiS-Sheet 3 Oct. 27, 1931. A. ENSTROM SWITCH POINT RAIL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 23, 1930 tal Patented Oct. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUGUST "ENSTB-OM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINQIS, ASSIGNDR TO PETTIBGNE MULLIKEN COM PANY, OF GHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE lSUTITCH POINT-RAIL Application led October 23, 193,0. Serial No. 490,751.

My invention relates more particularly to switch point-rails of the type comprising a point-frail proper recessed at its pointed .extremity and a separate wear-resisting pointsection removably secured in said recess.

In present railway construction the pointrails of switches are subjected to great wear at the pointed extremities thereof, the remainder of the point-rail remaining in good condition.

It is thus desirable `to .provide a point rail of such construction that when such wear of its pointed extremity occurs as to render it unfit for further use, the rail may be reconditioned for service and thereby avoid the scrapping of the rail which, as above stated, reina-ins as to its greater part in good serviceable condition.

@ne of my objects is to provide a construction of point rail ofthe type above referred to, whereby its removable point section may be readily and quickly applied to and removedfrom operative position on the pointrail proper and another point section substituted therefor at will and without removing the point rail from the track.

Another object is to provide an economical construction 4of point-rail of the type referred to which shall not require any welding operation, and-the point portion of which will withstand the jarring action to which it is subjected in use from either side Yof the rail without shifting on the point-rail proper.

Another object is to provide a point-rail of such construction vthat ,the lateral forces to which the 4pointed extremity of the rail is subjected in use will 'be resisted in such a way as to lessen shock to such pointed eX- tremity.

Another Vobject is to minimize danger of crackingof the point rail proper at its recessed'portion; and other Vobjects as will be manifest fronrthe `following description.

Referring =to ythe accompanying drawings Figure l is a plan view of the pointed end portion of a point-rail embodying one form of my invention, this rail vbeing shown in switching position relative to a main rail shown by dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a plan sectional view of the peint-rail, the adjacent main rail being shown by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of the structure shown in Figs. l and 2.

Figure lis an end view of the point rail, the point rail being viewed from the left hand side of Fig. 3 and the adjacent main raifl vbeing shown by dotted lines. l Figure 5 is a section taken at the line 5-5 on ig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows, the adjacent main rail fbeing'shown by dotted lines. y

Figure 6 is a section taken at the line 6--6 on F ig. 3 and viewed in the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in longitudinal sectional elevation .of the point-rail, the section being taken at the vline 7 7 on Fig. aand viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the separable point-section of the construction lof the preceding figures.

Figure 9 is a broken fragmentary perspective view of the pointed extremity of the point-rail proper. I

Figure l() is a view lille Fig. 2 of another embodimentof the invention.

Figure ll is a view in side elevation of still another embodiment ofthe invention, the adjacent niain rail being shown by dotted lines.

Figure l2 is a plan sectional view ofthe structure of Fig. l1; and

Figure 13, a section takenat the line 13-13 on Fig. 11, the .adjacent main rail being shown by dotted lines,

Referring `to Figs. l to 9 inclusive, the structure therein shown comprises a pointrail 14 represented in switching position relative-to an adjacent main rail 15.

i The point-rail'rrlt, which istapered toward one end iny accordance with coniinon prae-V j tice, is formed-'of Va point-rail proper 16 re- "v In 'fthe-:construction nowbeing cessed alongthe upper surface of its pointed extremity as represented at 17, thisfrecess extending downwardly into theweb 18 of therpoint-rail proper andfits end wallr beingV preferably vcurved as represented at 19. The point-rail also comprises la` point-Y forining section 20 separate frein the pointrail proper 16 and preferably constructed of l' metal highly resistant to the forces to which the point portions of point rails are suba jected.' By way' ofexanipiethe point-secetion 20 in use, may be Va steellforgingf heat treated to harden it.

y 'i Y described thepoint-forming section 20 isfornied of a y body portion 21 the upper head portion 22 of Ywhichis tapered toward its outer end as :shown andin accordan'cewith coininon prac? tice.l f Y The bodyfportion 21 of the section20 is Y i 'y grooved alongv its under sideas represented Y j p23 ltopprovide, spacedfapart substantially parallel v-flangzgefport-ions 2iwhich depend' from the Vheadportion22. The point-section :2O when applied tov operative'position on the` point-rail` proper extends fat its `head` portion l 22 into `therecess 17'and-at itsflanffepor;

' tions24; stradd-lestheweb loftlie pointf Y i railproper, Iit beingfn preferred that the groove 23 be ofsuch width as to require the forcing of theipoint section 2O toseated position on vthe point-rail proper, thus causing the flanges 24k Vto be; slightly outwardly sprung. Y Y Y @The body-portion v21 is provided-,at its rear end with a bar 25Vforining a continuation of one ofthe flanges 24,' the bar 25, in the'assernbling of the pointfsection f 2O with the pointrailproper, eX ending intotlie spaceat one side of the point-*rail*- proper dei/ined byY the headfweb and'fiange of the pointrail1 n Y together the various fiatwise-opposed porproper as shown'particularly in Fig.v 6;" Y lnjtheconstruction now. being described `inefans are 'provided for Y reinforcing the Y point-section 2OV against lateral displace inentytheseineans comprising metal bar l 26 which extendsinto thespace attlie` sideV of the pointrail Yproper ,opposite thatinto which the bar 25 extends and defined by the i head, web and flange of the point-rail proper.

Theqouter end of the bar 26 is deflected outer, e ,wardly as represented-fat 27'at which por;V

tion iti overlaps the l,adjacent end'of one of YVthe flanges 24' the 'surface 4,thus overlapped being charnfered .asrepiesented at 28 tok per! forininglyt against this flange.

` mit the lapping-endofvthe bar v26fpto'con-- thel point-rail proper ,1613

The point section 20is preferably vfastened tothe point-rail proper 16 by any suitable means, v such Y as `Vthe bolts represented-at 29 which extend through openings` in the flanges 24, bar portion25 and web 18, certain of these" bolts also extending through the reinforcing bar 26 and 'others thereof being shown as securingto the ypoint-rail a clip 100 for connection witha Abar (not shown) coininonly provided for connecting ntogether adj acent'switch-point rails*` rChe joint between the point-rail proper 16 ,and the' point-forming section' 20, ispreferablyinclined as representedat101 to reinforce the structure againstlateraly displacenient of the point-forming section 2O rela-v 'tive tothe point-rail proper 16-in the eXertion of forces lagainst it in one direction by the wheels running over the'rswitch. It will be understood, however, that if desired this jointni'ay beVv at aright angle to, the'sidefof The'con'striiction shown in Fig.V 10 is Ithe saine as' that shown in they preceding figures except that thebar 26 instead of lapping the adjacent end of thevpointfl'section :2O eXtends inend-wise abutting lrelatioi'i'ship thereto' as shown. Y Y f .y jf f' y 'in the construction shown in Figs'.11,f12 and 18 thepoint-'rail'proper1 represented at 3Q and recessed. at 81 atitsouter:extremity as Vexplained with respect to. .point-rail 16, is provided with a point?sectionrepresented',at

which eiitendsinto lthe "recess 31;. Thel point-,section 32 has a bareextensionl Se at one i end and as explained with respect .to y point section 20, and depending spaced flanges 35 like the, ianges2e except that 'onelof these vflanges .is comparatively shallow Yas Yshown at Y 36 and instead ofplappingcvdirectly over'lthe web 33 of thepoint-rail proper-laps the upper edge portion of one end of a reinforcing bar A* 3,7: vlying fiatwise against :the ,Y web 'Y '33 and thence extending rearwardlyof thelhody portion of the point section 32, this'rearwardly eX bending portionbeing represented aty 38 and corresponding astenin-g means,- such as bolts secure tions of the point-rail strncture,it being noted thatfthose; of thefbolt's which extend through the flanges 35 alsoextend through the Y forward en dr'ofI the bar SZwhich is recessed at 1Q to vreceive the adiacentshallow fiange 35 ofthe point section132. A

Vrelativeto the point-rails'lproper as'shown in the construction represented in Figs..1yto9', f 1 'l inclusive. Y '1 e e Y Vwith the,straight-,portion 0f `thebar 26. f q Y e,

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lVhile I have illus.l `ated and described certain forms of structure embodying my inven tion, l do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the invention may be embodied in other forms of structure and those illustrated variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, and a separate pointsection comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges integral therewith by means of which said point-section straddles said point-rail proper, the oint between the end wall of said recess and the adjacent end of said point-section being inclined relative to the sides of said point-rail proper.

2. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end. a separate point-section comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges integral therewith by means of which said front section straddles said point-rail proper, and fastenings securing said point-section on said point-rail proper, said recess and the ad jacent end of said point-section being inclined relative to the sides of said point-rail proper.

3. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate point-section comprising a body portion located in said recess and havingdepending flanges by means of which said front section straddles said point-rail proper, and a reinforcing bar portion at the rear end of said point-section and extending flatwise against said pointrail proper.

et. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate pointsection comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges by means of which said front section '.1 ,Y straddles said point-rail proper, and a reinforcing bar portion at the rear end of said point-section and integral with the body portion of said point-section and extending fiatwise against said point-rail proper.

5. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate pointsection comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges integral therewith by means of which said point-section straddles said point-rail proper, anda reinforcing bar portion at the rear end of said point-section and integral with said body portion and flanges and extending flatwise against said point-rail proper.

6l A'" `point-rail "comprising pointrail proper 'containing a'recess in the upper portion vofv its pointedy end, a separate point- 'section comprising a body portion located in said-recessand having depending ianges at which said pointsection straddles said pointrail proper, said #flanges extending substantially throughout the entire length of said recess,and a reinforcing bar portion at the rear end of said point-section and fiatwise opposing said point-rail proper.

7. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate pointsection comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending fianges by means of which said point-section straddles said point-rail proper, and a reinforcing bar secured to said point-rail proper and cooperating at one end thereof with the adjacent end of one of said flanges, for the purpose set forth.

8. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate pointsection comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges by means of which said point-section straddles said point-rail proper, and a reinforcing bar secured to said point-rail proper and overlapping at one end the adjacent end of the adjacent one of said flanges.

9. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate point-section comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges by means of which said point-section straddles said point-rail proper, and a reinforcing bar secured to said point-rail proper and endwise abutting the adjacent one of said flanges.

l0. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate pointsection comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges by means of which said point-section straddles said point-rail proper, and a reinforcing bar secured to said point-rail proper and extending into the space between said flanges.

ll. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, a separate point-section comprising a body portion located in said recess and having depending flanges by means of which said point-section straddles said point-rail proper, and a reinforcing bar secured to said pointrail proper and extendinto the space between said flanges, said reinforcing bar containing a recess into.

which the adjacent one of said flanges extends. l

l2. A point-rail comprising a point-rail proper containing a recess in the upper portion of its pointed end, and a separate pointsctn'cqmprising a bdy portilj .located in y vsaid recess an'dh'avig dependngjanges by Y means ofwhch Vsaid Ypoint section straddles vsaid point-rail" proper, the distance between,"k it said angesbeng such that in the applying d of sadfp'ont-Sectlon to straddlng posltion on SdPOint-railproper said anges gre'sprung Slightly outwardly. v 'v AUGUST NZSTR@Mv-lfY,l A t 

